Multiple Style Nail Applique

ABSTRACT

A nail appliqué and a method for decorating a natural fingernail or toenail. The nail appliqué generally has a distal end, a proximal end opposite the distal end, a distal decorative portion disposed adjacent the distal end and a proximal decorative portion disposed adjacent the proximal end. The nail appliqué has a length greater than the length of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be attached. The distal end has a convex curvature substantially matching the curvature of the cuticle end of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be applied and the proximal end has a convex curvature substantially matching the curvature of the distal end such that either the distal end or the proximal end of the appliqué can be applied to the same fingernail or toenail.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to nail appliqués that are applied to natural nails with an adhesive to enhance the cosmetic appearance of the nail, and more particularly to a single nail appliqué that provides multiple style variations.

Artificial nails and nail appliqués have been used for many years to enhance the cosmetic appearance of the fingers and toes. Some individuals opt to use artificial nails because their own nails are too weak to grow to a desirable length without breaking. Others choose artificial nails because they are considerably stronger and more durable than natural nails, and because nail polish adheres better to the artificial nail surface. Some individuals are unhappy with the shape and contour of their natural nail and opt to use an artificial nail to improve the appearance of their nails.

It has been known in the art of adorning the hands to provide ornamental fingernail accessories made from thin, molded plastic members manufactured generally in the shape of a fingernail. Indeed, numerous artificial fingernail manufacturers have provided a variety of combinations of materials, arrangements, and colors in fingernail accessories. For example, many conventional pre-designed fingernails often include a decorative design stenciled or air-brushed on a top surface thereof.

The pre-designed artificial nail is glued to the surface of the natural nail by applying an amount of a liquid bonding adhesive to the bottom surface of the artificial nail and/or the top surface of the natural nail to affix the accessory to the nail. Usually the wearer must wipe or trim away any excess adhesive and then wait several moments until the adhesive dries to ensure that the accessory is secured to the nail. An overlay is then typically applied to the entire top surface of the artificial nail. The overlay is usually transparent or translucent so that the decorative design is visible on the top surface of the artificial nail. Once the overlay sets, the artificial nail is shaped as desired.

It has also been known in the art of adorning fingernails and/or toenails with nail appliqués or decals. Such appliqués or decals typically take the form of a thermal- and/or pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed film, which adds strength and beauty to nails. The application of an opaque or clear graphic film onto fingernails or toenails provides the elements of nail polish, but includes the added benefits of nail support, graphics, specialty colors, no liquid, no dry time, no brush, no mess, no uneven brush strokes, no chipping, no known cancer causing chemicals, no fumes, and easy removal.

With the advent of such artificial fingernail accessories, the wearer could now have intricately pre-designed fingernails that are attached to the natural fingernail and then later easily removed. Of the myriad possible graphic designs given to artificial nail accessories, a particularly attractive ornamentation is to provide the artificial nail or appliqué with a French-style manicure look. A French-style manicure is one in which only the nail tip is colored, (usually white) and the nail bed is left a natural color or tinted only slightly pink. Many other French-style color variations are, of course, also possible.

As mentioned above, conventional artificial fingernails and nail appliqués may come pre-designed with one or more decorative designs provided on a top surface thereof. Typically, the decorative designs are stenciled, air-brushed or hand-painted on the nail during the manufacture of the nail. Such designs, particularly French-style manicure designs, are typically positioned on the artificial nail or appliqué in a certain manner so that, when the nail or appliqué is applied to the natural nail, the design will have the desired orientation with respect to the proximal finger cuticle and the distal fingernail tip. As a result, conventional artificial nails and nail appliqués provide only one possible design variation.

Moreover, because nail size varies from person to person, it is virtually impossible to design a single nail appliqué that will universally fit every fingernail. This problem becomes even more aggravated when applying appliqués with French-style manicure designs because both the size of the nail bed and the size of the lunula portion of the nail bed also vary from person to person. Specifically, it is impossible to provide a single nail appliqué having a French-style manicure design with a nail bed size that will match every wearer.

To address these problems, appliqué sets have been provided with multiple appliqués of varying size for each fingernail. For instance, in a typical package of appliqués, there may be two or more different appliqués for each finger, wherein each appliqué for a particular finger is more slender than the others. Other French-style appliqué packages may include multiple appliqués of the same size, but each having a differently sized nail bed portion.

The obvious problem with these approaches is the increased expense involved and the larger packaging required for providing multiple appliqués per fingernail. This would naturally disadvantageously affect both consumers who would be required to pay more per package and retailers who would have to stock and display larger packages.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a single nail appliqué that provides the user with multiple design variations depending on how the appliqué is placed on the natural nail. It would be further desirable to provide a single French-style nail appliqué that can accommodate different sizes of nail bed portions of the natural nail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a nail appliqué and a method for decorating a natural fingernail or toenail. The nail appliqué has opposite ends having a curved shape, wherein the shape of each opposite end is adapted to fit the cuticle end of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be applied. The nail appliqué preferably has opposite ends having a matching shape.

In a preferred embodiment, the nail appliqué generally has a distal end, a proximal end opposite the distal end, a distal decorative portion disposed adjacent the distal end and a proximal decorative portion disposed adjacent the proximal end. The nail appliqué has a length defined as the distance between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the length of the appliqué is greater than the length of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be attached. The distal end has a convex curvature substantially matching the curvature of the cuticle end of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be applied and the proximal end has a convex curvature substantially matching the curvature of the distal end such that either the distal end or the proximal end of the appliqué can be applied to the same fingernail or toenail.

In a preferred embodiment, the nail appliqué further includes a central decorative portion disposed between the distal decorative portion and the proximal decorative portion, wherein the central decorative portion visually contrasts with the distal decorative portion and the proximal decorative portion.

In this preferred embodiment, the distal decorative portion has a length defined between the distal end and the central decorative portion and the proximal decorative portion has a length defined between the proximal end and the central decorative portion, wherein both the length of the distal decorative portion and the length of the proximal decorative portion are shorter than the length of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be applied. Also, the length of the distal decorative portion is preferably less than the length of the proximal decorative portion.

In an alternative embodiment, the length of the distal decorative portion is greater than the length of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be applied and the length of the proximal decorative portion is less than the length of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be applied.

In each case, the distal decorative portion is preferably separated from the central decorative portion by a distal dividing line and the proximal decorative portion is preferably separated from the central decorative portion by a proximal dividing line. The distal dividing line has a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the proximal end, whereby the distal decorative portion is defined by opposite convex sides. Similarly, the proximal dividing line has a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the distal end, whereby the proximal decorative portion is defined by opposite concave sides.

In another alternative embodiment, there is no central decorative portion. Instead, there is only a distal decorative portion visually contrasting with the proximal decorative portion.

In this alternative embodiment, the distal decorative portion has a length defined between the distal end and the proximal decorative portion and the proximal decorative portion has a length defined between the proximal end and the distal decorative portion. The length of the distal decorative portion is greater than the length of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be applied and the length of the proximal decorative portion is less than the length of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be applied.

Also in this embodiment, the distal decorative portion is separated from the proximal decorative portion by a dividing line, wherein the dividing line has a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the distal end. In this manner, the proximal decorative portion is defined by opposite convex sides.

The present invention further involves a method for ornamenting a fingernail or a toenail. The method generally includes the step of providing a nail appliqué having a distal end, a distal decorative portion disposed adjacent the distal end, a proximal end opposite the distal end and a proximal decorative portion disposed adjacent the proximal end, wherein both the distal end and the proximal end have a convex curvature substantially matching the curvature of the cuticle end of the fingernail or toenail. The nail appliqué has a length defined between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the length is greater than the length of the fingernail or toenail.

The method of the present invention further includes the steps of aligning one of the distal end or the proximal end with the cuticle end of the fingernail or toenail and applying the nail appliqué to a top surface of the fingernail or toenail, wherein an excess portion of the nail appliqué extends outwardly beyond the end of the fingernail or toenail. The method further includes the step of removing the excess portion from the appliqué such that at least one of the distal decorative portion or the proximal decorative portion remains on the fingernail or toenail.

In a preferred method, the nail appliqué further includes a central decorative portion disposed between the distal decorative portion and the proximal decorative portion, wherein the central decorative portion visually contrasts with the distal decorative portion and the proximal decorative portion. When the distal decorative portion and the proximal decorative portion have lengths that are shorter than the length of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be applied, the step of removing the excess portion results in at least a portion of the central portion, together with one of the distal decorative portion or the proximal decorative portion, remaining on the fingernail or toenail.

When the length of the distal decorative portion is greater than the length of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be applied and the length of the proximal decorative portion is less than the length of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be applied, the step of removing the excess portion results in at least a portion of the distal decorative portion covering the entire surface of the fingernail or toenail if the distal end is aligned with the cuticle end of the fingernail or toenail. In this case, if the proximal end is aligned with the cuticle end of the fingernail or toenail, the step of removing the excess portion results in at least a portion of the central portion, together with the proximal decorative portion, covering the entire surface of the fingernail or toenail.

When the nail is left with at least a portion of the distal decorative portion covering the entire surface of the fingernail or toenail, the method of the present invention may include the additional steps of applying the removed excess portion over at least a portion of the previously applied distal decorative portion covering the entire surface of the fingernail such that an excess portion of the excess portion extends outwardly beyond the end of the fingernail or toenail. This excess portion of the excess portion is then removed such that at least a portion of the central decorative portion is applied over at least a portion of the previously applied distal decorative portion.

In the embodiment where a nail appliqué having only a distal decorative portion and a proximal decorative portion is provided, the step of removing the excess portion results in at least a portion of the distal decorative portion covering the entire surface of the fingernail or toenail if the distal end is aligned with the cuticle end of the fingernail or toenail. In contrast, when the proximal end of the appliqué is aligned with the cuticle end of the fingernail or toenail, the step of removing the excess portion results in at least a portion of the distal decorative portion, together with the proximal decorative portion, covering the entire surface of the fingernail or toenail.

The preferred embodiments, as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are intended as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. The scope will be pointed out in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of a nail appliqué according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the nail appliqué shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the nail appliqué shown in FIG. 1 being applied to a natural nail in a first design style variant.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the nail appliqué applied to the natural nail as shown in FIG. 3 after being trimmed.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the nail appliqué shown in FIG. 1 being applied to a natural nail in a second design style variant.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the nail appliqué applied to the natural nail as shown in FIG. 5 after being trimmed.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a nail appliqué according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of another alternative embodiment of a nail appliqué according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the nail appliqué shown in FIG. 7 being applied to a natural nail in a first design style variant.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the nail appliqué applied to the natural nail as shown in FIG. 9 after being trimmed.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the nail appliqué applied to the natural nail as shown in FIG. 10, with the trimmed portion of the appliqué being applied to provide a second design style variant.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the nail appliqué applied to the natural nail as shown in FIG. 10, with the trimmed portion of the appliqué applied.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the nail appliqué shown in FIGS. 11-12 after being trimmed.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of another alternative embodiment of a nail appliqué according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of yet another alternative embodiment of a nail appliqué according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the nail appliqué shown in FIG. 15 being applied to a natural nail in a first design style variant.

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the nail appliqué applied to the natural nail as shown in FIG. 16 after being trimmed.

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the nail appliqué shown in FIG. 15 being applied to a natural nail in a second design style variant.

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the nail appliqué applied to the natural nail as shown in FIG. 18 after being trimmed.

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of still another alternative embodiment of a nail appliqué according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of another alternative embodiment of a nail appliqué according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of yet another alternative embodiment of a nail appliqué according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of a nail appliqué 10 formed in accordance with the present invention is shown. The nail appliqué 10 has a typical laminar structure as is well known in the art. As such, the nail appliqué 10 has a substrate layer 12, typically in the form of a thin carrier film, an adhesive layer 14 disposed on one side of the substrate layer and a decorative layer 16 disposed on the side of the substrate layer opposite the adhesive layer.

The invention, however, is not limited to this basic structure and it is conceivable that the nail appliqué 10 of the present invention can take any other laminate or other form known in the field of nail ornamentation. For example, the decorative layer 16 and the substrate layer can be integrated into a single decorative enamel layer. One or more further layers, such as protective or over-coat layers, can be provided.

Other embodiments may include any graphic film known in the art, such as 3M™ Scotchcal™ Graphic films, manufactured by the 3M Corporation. It is understood that other films, such as, for example, graphic films, self-adhesive films, vinyl, polyester, Mylar, latex, rubber, or other films may be used for this purpose.

As used herein, exemplary nail appliqués may include, for example, any non-liquid thermally curable pressure sensitive self-adhesive film. Exemplary materials may include thermal sensitive graphic films. Graphic film suitable for methods embodiments of the present invention may include, for example, any self adhesive thin film type material vinyl film, cast film (film manufactured by cast method), “2 mil” film, “high performance” film, “long-term” film, or “premium” films. As used herein, “thin film” may include vinyl casting graphic film about 2 millimeters or less. In certain embodiments, the graphic laminate includes a graphic film of about 2 millimeter or less laminated to a clear coat vinyl casting film layer of about 2 millimeter or less. In certain embodiments, film and/or substrates may include various embedded visual effects such as, for example, varying degrees of shading and/or transparencies, varying background patterns, varying optical properties such as, for example, refractivity, fluorescence, pearlescence, night-glow, clear, matte, glossy, holographic, iridescent, glitter, and/or other decorative visual effects.

The substrate layer 12 and/or the decorative layer 16 may take the form of a vinyl film. As used herein, the term “vinyl film” may include any solid or flexible film manufactured by casting methods known in the art. Exemplary vinyl casting films are well known in the graphic arts. In certain embodiments, exemplary vinyl films may comprise polyvinylchloride (PVC) polymer, polymeric or monomeric plasticizer (to modulate flexibility), pigment (to make desired coloration), UV absorbers (to improve resistance to UV radiation), heat stabilizers, fillers and processing aids. In certain embodiments, cast films may offer the added benefit of dimensional stability, thinness (about 2 millimeters or less), conformability, durability, and a “paint-like” finish.

In one exemplary embodiment, a thin sheet of backing material, such as paper, for example, is coated with an adhesive coating to form the adhesive layer 14. A uniform layer of partially cured nail polish material in the general shape of a natural nail may be deposited over the adhesive coating on the backing material forming a film of nail polish. When the film of nail polish is removed from the backing, it has an adhesive surface. A nail appliqué 10 formed in this manner can be adhesively secured to a fingernail by placing it and pressing on the nail.

The decorative portions of the nail appliqué 10, as will be discussed in further detail below, can be formed by any conventional method. For example, a French manicure effect may be created by printing the curve of a French manicure tip shape (e.g., white, gold) on top of a solid light color dry nail polish film (e.g., light pink, cream, peach) as mentioned above. After the French manicure tip shape is imprinted, a clear top coat can be applied, and the resulting film is allowed to dry. The final nail appliquéshape can then be register-cut and packaged.

The printing methods contemplated as best achieving the French manicure include, but are not limited to, silk screening, flexographic printing, gravure printing, digital printing or Digital Flexo, offset printing, and hot stamping. Alternatively, the decorative portions may be made as separate pieces or separate somewhat crescent-shaped substrates and brought together to form a single nail appliqué.

Such a printed graphics layer may consist essentially of the dye- and/or pigment-containing layer capable of adhering, under the action of heat and/or pressure, to a thin film substrate, such as, for example, a vinyl casting film substrate. In this case, the graphics layer is the primary layer which imparts visibility to the graphics laminate. It includes generally a pigment and/or dye material in which the graphic design is formed during the printing process, such as, for example, thermo transfer onto vinyl films. In certain embodiments, the dye or pigment-containing layer may be made up of a plurality of successive dye- or pigment-containing layers.

The adhesive layer 14 may contain a self-adhesive, which is releasably peelable from a bottom backing layer (not shown). Before such laminates are applied by the user, for example, during storage, manufacturing, or transport, the backing is preferably adhered to the self-adhesive layer. When ready, the graphics nail laminates are removed from the backing for application. Suitable backing materials are well known in the art and are commercially available. Exemplary materials may include any flexible backing materials that are dimensionally stable to facilitate handling. In certain embodiments, the backing material is in the form of a strip or a roll of paper or film stock having suitable perforations. In certain other embodiments, dimensionally stable plastics films, such as, for example, polyethylene terephthalate films, may be used.

In any event, the nail appliqué 10 of the present invention has an initially planar oval shape defined by a convexly curved distal end 18 and a convexly curved proximal end 20 opposite the distal end. The length of the appliqué, defined as the distance between the distal end 18 and the proximal end 20, is longer than the length of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be attached. In a preferred embodiment, the rounded distal end 18 and the rounded proximal end 20 have the same convex curvature, which may, for example, be defined by the same radius. The identical curvature of both the distal end 18 and the proximal end 20 matches the curvature of the cuticle portion of a natural fingernail or toenail to which the nail appliqué 10 is to be applied.

Thus, for example, the nail appliqué 10 shown in FIG. 1 may have a matching curvature at its distal and proximal ends that corresponds to the curvature of the cuticle portion on an index finger of an average wearer. It can be appreciated that a set of a plurality of nail appliqués 10, as shown in FIG. 1, would typically be supplied as a package to the wearer, wherein nail appliqués having end curvatures matching all of the fingers of the typical wearer would be provided.

However, in an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, a nail appliqué 110 having a distal end 112 and a proximal end 114 with different curvatures can be provided. In this alternative embodiment, the nail appliqué 110 has an initially planar oval shape defined by a convexly curved distal end 112 and a convexly curved proximal end 114 opposite the distal end. The length of this appliqué 110 is also longer than the length of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be attached. However, in this embodiment the rounded distal end 112 has a curvature that differs slightly than the curvature of the rounded proximal end 114.

Thus, for example, the nail appliqué 110 shown in FIG. 22 may have a curvature at its distal end 112 that corresponds to the curvature of the cuticle portion on an index finger of an average wearer, while its proximal end 114 may have a curvature that corresponds to the curvature of the cuticle portion on a thumb of an average wearer. It can be appreciated in this embodiment that a set of a plurality of nail appliqués 110, as shown in FIG. 22, would typically be supplied as a package to the wearer, wherein nail appliqués having end curvatures matching all of the fingers of the typical wearer would be provided.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the nail appliqué 10 of the preferred embodiment further includes a distal decorative portion 22 immediately adjacent the distal end 18 of the nail appliqué 10 and a proximal decorative portion 24 immediately adjacent the proximal end 20. Separating the distal decorative portion 22 and the proximal decorative portion 24 is a central decorative portion 26. Thus, the distal decorative portion 22 is bounded at one end by the curved distal end 18 of the nail appliqué 10 and is bounded at an opposite end by the central decorative portion 26. Similarly, the proximal decorative portion 24 is bounded at one end by the curved proximal end 20 of the nail appliqué 10 and is bounded at an opposite end by the central decorative portion 26.

The distal decorative portion 22, the proximal decorative portion 26 and the central decorative portion 26 can take various forms. In a simple embodiment, each portion can be provided as a solid, uniform color extending over the entire surface area of the respective portion. In another embodiment, the opposite end portions 22 and 24 can be transparent or translucent portions, while the central portion can be provided as an opaque portion, or vise versa. The distal decorative portion 22 can match the proximal decorative portion 26 in appearance or these portions can differ. In other embodiments, each respective portion can take the form of a graphic design extending over the entire surface area or only a part of the respective portion. As can be appreciated, the design variations of the respective portions are endless, so long as there is some discrete characteristic of each portion that will visually distinguish one portion from its adjacent portion.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the central decorative portion 26 is separated from the distal decorative portion 22 and the proximal decorative portion 24 by respective crisp or sharp dividing lines 28, 30, which define respective distinct borders therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the dividing line 28 separating the distal decorative portion 22 from the central decorative portion 26 has a curvature similar to the curvature of the proximal end 20 of the nail appliqué 10, but opposite the curvature of the distal end 18 of the nail appliqué. In other words, while it is not necessary for the radii of curvature of the distal dividing line 28 and the proximal end 20 to be equal, the center of radius for each curve falls on the distal side of the curve so that both curves define arcs that sweep in the same direction.

Similarly, the dividing line 30 separating the proximal decorative portion 24 from the central decorative portion 26 has a curvature similar to the curvature of the opposite distal end 18 of the nail appliqué 10, but opposite the curvature of the proximal end 20 of the nail appliqué. Again, while it is not necessary for the radii of curvature of the proximal dividing line 28 and the distal end 20 to be equal, the center of radius for each curve falls on the proximal side of the curve so that both curves define arcs that sweep in the same direction.

In this manner, if the nail appliqué 10, as a whole, can be considered to be defined by a convex distal end 18 and an opposite convex proximal end 20, the distal decorative portion 22 is thus defined by opposite convex sides, while the proximal decorative portion 24 is also thus defined by opposite convex sides. This leaves the central portion 26 defined by opposite concave sides.

In a preferred embodiment, the distal decorative portion 22 has a length 32, defined by the distance between the distal end 18 of the nail appliqué 10 and the distal dividing line 28, as shown in FIG. 3. This length 32 is selected to match the length of the lunula portion of the natural nail bed of the wearer. As is known in the art, the “lunula portion” of the nail bed is the naturally whitish proximal portion of the natural nail matrix that is commonly visible under a natural fingernail adjacent the finger cuticle. Another common term for the natural lunula is the “cuticle moon”. Because the length of the natural lunula varies from person to person, as mentioned above, it is desirable to provide a set of nail appliqués having lunula portions of varying sizes for improved cosmetic appearance.

Thus, according to the present invention, while the distal decorative portion 22 has a first length 32, the proximal decorative portion 24 will have a second length 34 that differs from the first length. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, both the first length 32 of the distal decorative portion 22 and the second length 34 of the proximal decorative portion 24 are shorter than the overall length of a natural fingernail. As will be discussed in further detail below, the differing lengths 32 and 34 of the distal decorative portion 22 and the proximal decorative portion 24 allows the wearer to select between two nail bed sizes on the same appliqué.

In particular, if the wearer has a small natural lunula portion, he or she may select the decorative portion of the nail appliqué that has the shorter length. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the distal decorative portion 22 has a length shorter than the proximal decorative portion 24. Therefore, the wearer would place the distal decorative portion 22 on top of the natural nail, so that the distal end 18 aligns with the natural finger cuticle, as shown in FIG. 3. The excess portion 36 of the nail appliqué 10 that extends beyond the end 38 of the natural nail can then be trimmed off to leave an appliqué 10 a having the desired cosmetic appearance, as shown in FIG. 4, adhered to the natural nail.

Alternatively, if the wearer has a relatively longer natural lunula portion, he or she may select the decorative portion of the nail appliqué that has the longer length. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the length of the proximal decorative portion 24 is longer than the distal decorative portion 22. Therefore, the wearer would place the proximal decorative portion 24 on top of the natural nail, so that the proximal end 20 aligns with the natural finger cuticle, as shown in FIG. 5. Again, the excess portion 36 of the nail appliqué 10 that extends beyond the end 38 of the natural nail can then be trimmed off to leave an appliqué 10 b having the desired cosmetic appearance, as shown in FIG. 6, adhered to the natural nail.

In either case, the resulting nail appliqué 10 a or 10 b has one of the distal decorative portion 22 or the proximal decorative portion 24 disposed adjacent the cuticle of the finger and a length of the central decorative portion 26 extending outwardly therefrom. In this regard, it is important to provide the central decorative portion 22 with a length, (defined as the distance between the distal dividing line 28 and the proximal dividing line 30) that will sufficiently accommodate an expected range of natural fingernail lengths so that only the central decorative portion will be visible after trimming off the excess of the nail appliqué.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7-10, a nail appliqué 40 is provided wherein at least one of the distal decorative portion or the proximal decorative portion has a length that is greater than the length of a natural nail. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the distal decorative portion 42 has a length 44 greater than the length of a natural nail, while the proximal decorative portion 46 has a length 48 that is shorter than the length of the natural nail. As will be discussed in further detail below, this gives the wearer another design variation for decorating the natural nail.

Specifically, the nail appliqué 40 shown in FIG. 7 can be applied to the natural nail to provide the design style variation shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. This is accomplished, as described above, by applying the end of the appliqué 40 having the proximal decorative portion 46, which has a length shorter than the length of the natural nail. This results in a portion of the central decorative portion 58 being applied to the natural nail. The excess portion of the appliqué is then trimmed to provide the aesthetic look shown in FIGS. 4 and 6.

However, by turning the nail appliqué 40 one hundred eighty degrees and applying the end of the appliqué 40 having the distal decorative portion 42 with a length longer than the length of the natural nail to the natural nail, a full cover aesthetic look, as shown in FIG. 10, can be achieved. More particularly, if the wearer desires a full cover look, whereby the nail appears as a uniform color or has an uninterrupted graphic design over the full surface area of the nail, he or she may select the decorative portion 42 of the nail appliqué that has a length 44 longer than the natural nail. The wearer would then place this distal decorative portion 42 on top of the natural nail, so that the distal end 50 aligns with the natural finger cuticle, as shown in FIG. 9. The excess portion 52 of the nail appliqué 50 that extends beyond the end 54 of the natural nail can then be trimmed off to leave an appliqué 40 b having the desired full cover cosmetic appearance, as shown in FIG. 10, adhered to the natural nail.

In this embodiment, it can be appreciated that the dividing line 56 separating the distal decorative portion (i.e., the decorative portion having the length longer than the length of the natural nail) and the central decorative portion need not have a curvature matching the opposite proximal end 60, as shown in FIG. 7. Instead, the decorative portion 42 a having the longer length can be separated from the central portion 58 a by a dividing line 56 a having a curvature matching the adjacent distal end 62, as shown in FIG. 8. In this manner, if the nail appliqué 40 a, as a whole, can be considered to be defined by a convex distal end 62 and an opposite convex proximal end 60, the distal decorative portion 42 a is thus defined by a convex side and a concave side, while the proximal decorative portion 46 remains with opposite convex sides. This leaves the central portion 58 a defined by a convex side and a concave side.

The nail appliqué embodiment shown in FIG. 7 provides yet another design variation to the wearer, as will be explained with reference to FIGS. 11-12. In particular, the full cover look 40 b provided by the extended length distal decorative portion 42 can be modified by applying the excess portion 52 of the appliqué 40, which was initially trimmed off, back over the portion 64 of the appliqué already applied to the natural nail. The excess portion 52 is positioned over the already applied portion 64 so that the desired length 66 of the central decorative portion 58 will be applied. The excess portion 68 of the initial excess portion 52 that extends beyond the end 70 of the natural nail can then be trimmed off to leave an appliqué 40 c having the desired cosmetic appearance, as shown in FIG. 13, adhered to the natural nail. This design variation may be desired in situations where the user wishes to use the full cover decorative portion, but still wants a French-style look.

Turning now to FIGS. 14-19, still another alternative embodiment of a nail appliqué according to the present invention is shown. FIGS. 14 and 15 show nail appliqués 70 and 70 a that are similar to the nail appliqués as described above, but have only two decorative portions, as opposed to three decorative portions.

Thus, like the nail appliqués described above, the nail appliqués 70 and 70 a shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 both have an initially planar oval shape defined by a curved distal end 72 and a curved proximal end 74 opposite the distal end. Again, the rounded distal end 72 and the rounded proximal end 74 have the same curvature so that the nail appliqué can be applied to the same nail in one of two opposite orientations.

In this case, however, the nail appliqués 70 and 70 a only include a distal decorative portion 76 immediately adjacent the distal end 72 of the appliqué and a proximal decorative portion 78 immediately adjacent the proximal end 74. Thus, the nail appliqués 70 and 70 a shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 do not include a central decorative portion, as described above. Thus, the distal decorative portion 76 is bounded at one end by the curved distal end 72 of the nail appliqué and is bounded at an opposite end by the proximal decorative portion 78. Similarly, the proximal decorative portion 78 is bounded at one end by the curved proximal end 74 of the nail appliqué and is bounded at an opposite end by the distal decorative portion 76.

Again, the distal decorative portion 76 and the proximal decorative portion 78 can take various forms, as described above. For example, the nail appliqué 70 shown in FIG. 14 has decorative portions with lengths that are different than the lengths of the decorative portions of the appliqué 70 a shown in FIG. 15. Additionally, each portion can be provided as a solid, uniform color extending over the entire surface area of the respective portion. In other embodiments, the proximal decorative portion 78 can be transparent or translucent, while the distal decorative portion can be provided as an opaque portion. In other embodiments, each respective portion can take the form of a graphic design extending over the entire surface area or only a part of the respective portion. As can be appreciated, the design variations of the respective portions are endless, so long as there is some discrete characteristic of each portion that will visually distinguish one portion from its adjacent portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the distal decorative portion 76 is separated from the proximal decorative portion 78 by a crisp or sharp dividing line 80, which defines a distinct border therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the dividing line 80 separating the distal decorative portion 76 from the proximal decorative portion 78 has a curvature similar to the curvature of the distal end 72 of the nail appliqué 10, but opposite the curvature of the proximal end 74 of the nail appliqué. In other words, while it is not necessary for the radii of curvature of the dividing line 80 and the distal end 72 to be equal, the center of radius for each curve falls on the proximal side of the curve so that both curves define arcs that sweep in the same direction.

In this manner, if the nail appliqué, as a whole, can be considered to be defined by a convex distal end 72 and an opposite convex proximal end 74, the distal decorative portion 76 is thus defined by a convex side and an opposite concave side, while the proximal decorative portion 78 is thus defined by opposite convex sides.

In a preferred embodiment, the distal decorative portion 76 has a length 82, defined by the distance between the distal end 72 of the nail appliqué and the dividing line 80, as shown in FIG. 14. This length 82 is selected to be longer than the length of the natural nail to which the appliqué is to be applied.

The proximal decorative portion 78 also has a length 84, defined by the distance between the proximal end 74 of the nail appliqué and the dividing line 80, as also shown in FIG. 14. This length 84 is selected to match the length of the lunula portion of the natural nail bed of the wearer.

The nail appliqués 70 and 70 a shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 also provide the wearer with two style variations. If the wearer wishes to apply a French-style design to the natural nail, she may apply the proximal end 74 of the appliqué to the natural nail, so that the proximal decorative portion 78 will be adjacent to the cuticle of the finger, as shown in FIG. 16. The excess portion 86 of the nail appliqué that extends beyond the end 88 of the natural nail can then be trimmed off. As a result, the proximal decorative portion 78 and a portion of the distal decorative portion 76 is left adhered to the natural nail, thereby providing an appliqué having the desired French-style cosmetic appearance, as shown in FIG. 17.

Alternatively, if the wearer desires a full cover cosmetic look, the wearer will apply the appliqué to the natural nail in the opposite orientation so that the distal end 72 aligns with the natural finger cuticle, as shown in FIG. 18. Again, the excess portion 86 of the nail appliqué that extends beyond the end 88 of the natural nail can then be trimmed off. As a result, only the distal decorative portion 76 remains adhered to the natural nail, thereby providing an appliqué having the desired full cover cosmetic appearance, as shown in FIG. 19.

In all embodiments of the present invention, the decorative portions of the nail appliqué can take various forms, as described above. Thus, for example, FIG. 20 shows a nail appliqué 90 having a distal decorative portion 92 in the form of a three-dimensional decorative diamond pattern and a proximal decorative portion 94 in the form of a pattern of three-dimensional spherical ornamentation. FIG. 21 shows another alternative embodiment of a nail appliqué 100 in which a distal decorative portion 102 is in the form of a graphic design consisting of a pattern of flowers extending over the entire surface area of the distal decorative portion and a proximal decorative portion 104 is in the form of a graphic design consisting of a repeating pattern of hearts extending over the entire surface area of the proximal decorative portion. Again, the design variations of the respective portions are endless, so long as there is some discrete characteristic of each portion that will visually distinguish one portion from its adjacent portion.

In all of the embodiments described above, the nail appliqué of the present invention can be applied to the natural nail in any manner known in the art. In an exemplary manner, to apply a pre-printed nail appliqué of the present invention, the surface of the natural nail to which the appliqué is to be applied is pre-cleaned (e.g. alcohol or following a manicure). The appliqué is then peeled off of a corresponding backing and placed onto a corresponding nail (e.g. similar width) surface.

In certain embodiments, the appliqué may be pre-heated to facilitate the ease of manipulation, or may be moistened where a soluble adhesive is used. In other embodiments, the appliqué is located where desired on the nail surface, adequate heat and/or pressure is applied to the backing of the appliqué to adhere the nail appliqué onto the nail surface, and then the backing sheet may then simply be peeled away to leave the graphics on the surface of the nail in the desired position. In all cases, the excess material (e.g. length) may be trimmed off by cutting or filing.

As a result of the present invention, a nail appliqué which provides the user with multiple style variations is provided. The nail appliqué is easily manufactured and can be simply applied. A package of nail appliqués according to the present invention can be provided to the consumer at low cost and with relatively small packaging.

Although preferred embodiments of the present device and method have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the herein device and method are not limited to those precise embodiments and that various other changes and modifications may be affected herein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, and that it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the invention. 

1. A nail appliqué comprising a substrate adapted for application to a fingernail or a toenail of a wearer, the substrate being defined by: a distal end having a convex curvature with respect to a center of the substrate, said convex curvature of said distal end substantially matching the curvature of the cuticle end of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be applied; a proximal end opposite said distal end, said proximal end having a convex curvature with respect to the center of the substrate, said convex curvature of said proximal end substantially matching said convex curvature of said distal end such that either said distal end or said proximal end of said substrate can be applied to the same fingernail or toenail; a customizing length defined as the total distance between said distal end and said proximal end, said center of the substrate being the mid-point of said length; a distal decorative portion disposed adjacent said distal end; a proximal decorative portion disposed adjacent said proximal end; and a central decorative portion disposed between said distal decorative portion and said proximal decorative portion, said central decorative portion visually contrasting with said distal decorative portion and said proximal decorative portion.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. A nail appliqué as defined in claim 1, wherein said distal decorative portion has a length defined between said distal end and said central decorative portion and said proximal decorative portion has a length defined between said proximal end and said central decorative portion, both said length of said distal decorative portion and said length of said proximal decorative portion being shorter than the distance between said distal or proximal end to the center of the substrate.
 6. A nail appliqué as defined in claim 5, wherein said length of said distal decorative portion is less than said length of said proximal decorative portion.
 7. A nail appliqué as defined in claim 1, wherein said distal decorative portion has a length defined between said distal end and said central decorative portion, and said proximal decorative portion has a length defined between said proximal end and said central decorative portion, said length of said distal decorative portion being greater than the distance between said distal or proximal end to the center of the substrate and said length of said proximal decorative portion being less than the distance between said distal or proximal end to the center of the substrate.
 8. A nail appliqué as defined in claim 1, wherein said distal decorative portion is separated from said central decorative portion by a distal dividing line and said proximal decorative portion is separated from said central decorative portion by a proximal dividing line, said distal dividing line having a curvature corresponding to said curvature of said proximal end, whereby said distal decorative portion is defined by opposite convex sides with respect to a point within said distal decorative portion, and said proximal dividing line having a curvature corresponding to said curvature of said distal end, whereby said proximal decorative portion is defined by opposite convex sides with respect to a point within said proximal decorative portion.
 9. A nail appliqué as defined in claim 7, wherein said distal decorative portion is separated from said central decorative portion by a distal dividing line and said proximal decorative portion is separated from said central decorative portion by a proximal dividing line, said distal dividing line having a curvature corresponding to said curvature of said proximal end, whereby said distal decorative portion is defined by opposite convex sides with respect to a point within said distal decorative portion, and said proximal dividing line having a curvature corresponding to said curvature of said distal end, whereby said proximal decorative portion is defined by opposite convex sides with respect to a point within said proximal decorative portion.
 10. A nail appliqué as defined in claim 1, wherein said distal decorative portion visually contrasts with said proximal decorative portion.
 11. A nail appliqué as defined in claim 8, wherein said distal decorative portion has a length defined between said distal end and said proximal decorative portion and said proximal decorative portion has a length defined between said proximal end and said distal decorative portion, said length of said distal decorative portion being greater than the distance between said distal or proximal end to the center of the substrate and said length of said proximal decorative portion being less than the distance between said distal or proximal end to the center of the substrate. 12-23. (canceled) 